Thursday, November 30, 2017

My Seniors plan their meetings and the do a fabulous job. So, not only do I have a 15 year old that is pretty much self-sufficient, I also have a troop of 6 girls that are also not needing all of my attention, planning, and help... it's a trying time for me. I need to be needed... just sayin'.

Girl Scout L planned the First Aid badge... we're taking a trip to the Firehouse for most of it, because there was not an ER doctor to be found that could help us out. Most of the requirements will be met at the firehouse with our amazing Firefighter and First Responder guest.

Badge requirements and how we're doing it:

Interview First Responder about triage

Talk to a professional about how to help a head or neck injury

Ask an expert how to make a splint from everyday objects

Recognize sign of drug overdose and alcohol poisoning

Make posters to share with other teens about the facts about drug overdoses and alcohol poisoning.

Roll-Up First Aid Kits:

and because I need to feel needed (It was part of her plan to make a first aid kit... don't leave me hateful comments about girl-led, etc. Try to just sense the humor of a "mom" moving to a new chapter) I whipped up roll-up first aid kits for the girls to fill with first aid supplies (I used this plan and sort of tweaked it to fit my need.. fabric is Riley Blake Girl Scouts). We'll go over the proper use of each supply and do a few demonstrations and what else they could be used for in case of emergency.

Kits will contain:

3 different sizes of regular bandages - Used for minor cuts and scrapes, can also be used to help hold gauze in place or to hold household split pieces in place temporarily

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

One of the things that I have struggled with over the past year is feeling prepared for meetings with my troop. Shocking, I know.

Back in the day, aka Brownie days, it was simpler for me. At the beginning of the year, the girls chose the badges we would complete by marking them on a sheet. I would tally up the votes and then assign them to the meeting where they would work the best. I would make a list of supplies and gather them up, haul them with me, unload, set up, and walk to the school across the street to meet them to walk back to the church. Oh! The good ol' days. Sort of. I also remember lugging 12 scrapbook albums back and forth for each meeting for 8 months because I had a brilliant idea of a time filler... wow... I was ambitious!

Now, the girls are Freshman... which means they are Senior Girl Scouts. Telling someone outside the scouting world you have Seniors is so confusing, btw. The girls still plan their badges for the year at the beginning of the year, but in a different way using the House Method. Then, they assign the badges or call dibs on the badges they want to lead. They rotate through the months who will be the one to put together the plan and supplies list. Then, I review the plan to make sure they are meeting the requirements and gather the supplies (sort of). We are holding meetings at my home now and that is where my problem is coming in. I find myself procrastinating about getting supplies gathered, because it's "here" and I can just grab it if we need it. Yeah... which means I spend at least an hour making a bazillion trips up and down the hallway to get "just one more thing".

I'm telling you this because I need you to be my judge and jury. I want you to help keep tabs on me. I hope to improve my preparedness for meetings... starting with tonight! I have a plan. I'm going to share it with you so you can keep tabs on me and maybe glean something for yourself, too.

Whether you meet at a place where all your supplies are or whether you are carting them back and forth, I hope this will help you and me improve.

Over the next few weeks, you can look forward to posts about the following. I'll update this post with links as soon as they are done and posted, too. Stay tuned!!

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

THIS is what I love about Girl Scouts... I've been silent for a few weeks. I'll blame busy schedules and too much fun. It isn't that I haven't had thoughts about various topics, but it took one close to my heart to make me speak.

This article came out in the NY Times. First, I need to say "Bravo!" to the 10 year old girl who noticed something many others have and many have done research on. But, she is a girl after my own heart, because she decided it needed to become a patch program. I love patches... but, I LOVE this idea even more.

This isn't said in the article, this is my take away... in 2017 in the USA girls/women are only limited by our own fear. It isn't that girls are told not to raise their hand... I do believe some teachers pass over the girls, but that's a whole other fight. It starts with girls. We need to raise our hands. We just don't do it for reasons listed in the article... fear, embarrassment, overshadowing.(and my opinion.. unfortunately, many times, the ridicule and embarrassment is because of our own gender pressures!! stop being mean girls!).

This concept needs to start at a young age, but you're never too old to learn and apply something new to your life. If you want equality, then you must take the risk and raise your hand... put yourself out there... leap... stop whiningit isn't fair (yes, I said whining... no it isn't far-fetched to understand that griping to our girlfriends about how we were passed over for the last career advancement or employment opportunity isn't whining... ) and do something about it (and remember not to be mean girls! use your mind and present yourself professionally... you'll have better results. It drives me nuts when a grown woman resorts to tactics beneath her intelligence to get her way... it's mean, it's unprofessional, and no one takes her seriously.. this doesn't just apply in the office, either).

I can wholeheartedly say as a female tech, it isn't easy... it isn't always fair... it isn't "right"... but you stand confidently and represent and pave the way for the next generation. It isn't all about you... think bigger picture. Yes. It gets old. Yes. It makes you so frustrated you want to scream. Yes. It can feel like a continual fight to be given the level of respect you deserve. But, at the end of the day... it is worth it. Hopefully it's easier for my daughter and for yours. Then, easier for their daughters. It's a process and it won't change overnight.

I'll also add... stop shaming young women for making decisions about their lives they feel are the right move. We need intelligent women in the work force, but we also need them at home shaping the minds of the next generation. What she feels is the right place for her, is the right place for her. No matter if you agree with the choice or not. It's okay to be a mom who works outside the home. It's okay to be a mom who stays at home with her kids. It's okay to be a wife who devotes her life to her family and friends. It's okay to be single and chase your dreams... Married women can chase their, too, btw. We need to respect the choices we all make and understand until you walk in their shoes, you don't know what the perfect fit for anyone else is... most of us are still searching for our own perfect fit. Cut each other some slack. Support the decisions. Value the friendships. Respect one another.